AMongst the many and great Conflicts of the Church while sojourning here on Earth , there is none more usual , and withal more difficult and hazardous than that she is engaged in for Vindicating the Truth of her Religion from the False Doctrines of her Insulting and Impudent Adversaries . The Reason of all which cannot be unknown to any who considers that those who are lovers of , and zealous for the Truth delivered by God , neither ought , nor can conceal and hide the same , but make it known to the Praise and Glory of God ; whereas others who are fond of Falshoods , that they may the better compass whatever seems good to their own Appetites , or conducive to their Interest , do not usually fail to propagate and defend their own Inventions , and to accuse and condemn the more Pious and Honest Doctrines of others , as being too opposite to them and their Designs . It is likewise manifest that the Truth being of it self clear and evident , is content with a simple discovery , dealing candidly and openly with all ; whereas Lyes and Falshoods , as having no solidity or weight in themselves , must be adorn'd with a multitude of fair and boasting Expressions , using a hundred little Tricks and Cheats for ensnaring the unskilful and unwary ; in which they are oft-times so successful , that even the wiser sort of People , and those who on other occasions are circumspect enough , do sometimes chance to be entangled , and do find it a matter of difficulty to extricate themselves from the same . Moreover though it be Natural for Mankind still to complain of the Iniquity of their own Times , insomuch that all Men are ready to fly out in Panegyricks upon the Ages past , while they condemn that they live in , yet I can scarce think that there are any who are not convinc'd that the days in which our Lot is fallen are such , as in them all manner of Errors and Falshoods are broke in upon Religion , all sorts of mad and unheard of Heresies , the most terrible and foulest Blasphemies , have over-run , and ( as it were ) delug'd the Church . Insomuch that she is now oblig'd not only to encounter Profane and Wicked Men for the defence of the Truth and Integrity of her Religion , but to oppose her self to the Arms of her Bloody and Cruel Enemies for the maintenance of her Liberty and Freedom : It is not sufficient for her to engage with Men , but she is constrained to fight even with Beasts . But there is no Affliction can overtake the Church of the Living God , that does not admit of some Relief and Comfort . Wherefore since this is now the condition of the Church in these evil days , it is likewise her great Happiness that so many able and skilful Men have in these same very days bestirr'd themselves on her behalf for opposing and confuting the Erroneous Sentiments of wicked Men , occasion'd partly by Ignorance and Folly , partly by a resolute and furious Madness ; and thus assisting the distressed Church , have successfully employ'd both their Tongues and Pens , furnishing her not only with means of Knowledge , and Spiritual Weapons for instructing and confirming her self against the Assaults of her Enemies , but even for gaining , convincing , and vanquishing the same . In prosecuting this their laudable Design some have contented themselves with the bare mentioning the horrible and monstrous Assertions vented by those cunning contrivers , as accounting it a sufficient Confutation to have nam'd them , which bewray their weakness at the first view . But I cannot guess at the Reason why so very few have for so long a time made mention of the Quakers , whose rise is dated from a little before the middle of this present Century , and have since that time wonderfully increased in number of Proselytes , beyond what is commonly thought of ; these Men , I say , accounted by some Superstitious and followers of Old Wives Fables , by others the worst sort of Fanaticks , and in the next degree to Lunaticks and Madmen , have been quite past over in silence by most Writers , so that not so much as the History of their Rise and Progress is yet on Publick Record ; at least wise if any there be that have touch'd upon this Sect , they have done it in so slight and transitory a manner , that they would rather seem to have made Publick their own Ignorance , than to have left on Record the Actions , Doctrine , and Religion of these Men : Unless perhaps this may be imagin'd for a Reason of the silence of Writers , that they account of these Men so little , as that they think it fitter to pass them in a negligent and disdainful silence , than to spend words or time upon them : Others there are indeed who have wrote something of them , but to no purpose , who being themselves altogether ignorant what manner of Men they be , and having only heard of them by Report , as being Prodigies and Monsters of Mankind , chose rather to put in Print whatever they heard , than to have just nothing to say of 'em ; reckoning the danger not to be great , whether the Relation prov'd true or false ; for if true , it is well ; if false , it falls upon such a Tribe of Men ( think they ) of whom nothing can be said so ill , that would not Quadrate to them . My Judgment upon the matter is this ; that , while I consider that England ( the Native Country of these Men ) Scotland , and Ireland , abounds so much with those called Quakers , since their number in those Countries does daily increase , nay , and elsewhere they have propagated their Doctrines , making and gaining Proselytes ; ( for that it is they bend all their force to , having for this purpose for a long time publish'd many Books , and these not little small Treatises , but large Volumes , well digested , and handsomly dress'd with fit Expressions . ) Since we may observe that others ( no despicable Sects ) having discovered in them their own Image , have embraced them for Brethren and Kinsmen ( such as the Quietists , that not so long ago did first appear in Campania in Italy , and the Pietists , so lately sprung up in Germany ; of which last we know certainly they are daily insinuating themselves and their Doctrines into the hearts of the People , and influencing their Minds even in this our own Land ) and since it is uncertain what may be the issue of all this : I say , upon all these Considerations I count it absolutely necessary to make a narrow search after them , in order to understand what manner of Men they be , what Actions have been done by them , from what beginnings , and by what progress they have risen to this height , and what are their Tenets and Sentiments that have so long lain in Obscurity . And this is the more necessary to be done now in this Interim of time , while the Memory of these things are fresh in our Minds , lest by the progress of time that being worn out and defaced , there be no means left of attesting what went before ; and thus should we remain doubtful and uncertain of their Actions and Tenets , not knowing where to fix the Controversie ; and whoever would pretend to examine any of these Matters , must after the manner of the Andabatae , fight hood-wink'd ; of which sort of procedure arising from the same defect we have a great many Instances both in the ancient and later Churches . Since therefore I have had the Fortune of a long time to be familiarly acquainted and much conversant with these Men call'd Quakers , and that in many places ; and have thus had occasion to know so much of them both from themselves and their chief Teachers , and also from Men of our Profession who were well acquainted with all their Deeds and Actions ; and besides many of their Writings and Manuscripts , of which some are in Print , some not , having fallen into my hands , I thought it would be an acceptable Enterprize , calculated for the exigency of these our Times , and also useful to Posterity , to write upon this Subject . In performance of which I shall pick out what seems most necessary and directly conducive to the management of the same , and that with all brevity and conciseness imaginable ; not determining any thing through Precipitancy , Love to a Party , Prejudice of Opinion , or the influence of any Passion whatsoever ; leaving it for every Man to judge as he thinks fit of their Actions , Tenets , Customs , and manner of Worship .

These Men are called Quakers in the English Language . Which Name was given 'em by their mocking Enemies as a note of Ignominy and Contempt , for that when they are about contemplating Sacred things , that same very moment that the Spirit overtakes 'em , through the commotion of their Minds , and agitation of their Bodies , they presently fall a trembling , throwing themselves on the ground , oft-times froathing at the mouth , and scrieching with a horrible noise . And though they seem to resent ▪ this Reproachful Title , yet they are not so averse either to the Name or to the Thing it self , but that they 'll acknowledge that both do in some measure quadrate to them . For they confess themselves to be Quakers ; nor do they deny that while they go about Sacred Things , submitting themselves wholly to the Divine Will , and quietly waiting upon God , praying within themselves for the Breathings and Operation of his Spirit , and with deep sighs and groans are importunately waiting the Effusion of the Spirit ; that upon his first approach they fall a trembling , and are hurried out of themselves by the commotions of their Minds , and disturbances of Body , occasioned by the resistance of the sinful stubborn Flesh ; which when they have overcome , and are return'd to themselves again , and begin to be sensible of the Illuminations and Comforts of the Spirit , then they are transported into Raptures of Joy , which occasion these Quaking and Extatical Motions of Body and Mind . They add likewise , that the Spirit of God while speaking in the Scriptures , denominates the sincere fearers of God , and lovers of his Spirit and Word , Tremblers , requiring of them so to be , and pronouncing them blessed if such . Wherefore since they do not reject this their Name , but rather account it honourable , if rightly understood , I shall define them after the same manner ; especially since they have not yet obtain'd a peculiar and proper Name whereby they can be distinguish'd from all others .

Another Name generally given to them is that of Enthusiasts . Where it is likewise to be observed , that many do reckon them among the number of those Enthusiasts that in Ancient History are mentioned to have been among the Primitive Christians , as also in the last Century . But these Men are not satisfied to be so called in any sense ; for besides , say they , that this name of Enthusiasts is oft given to those that by the Calumniators themselves would be accounted Men of Worth and Dignity , and that even those who are so busie in fixing this Ignominious Name upon them , do oft-times come to be branded with the same themselves ▪ Besides all this , say they , this Name tends openly to the discredit and dishonour of all Christians , whom the Spirit of God in his Word declares to be influenc'd by the Spirit ; nay , and requires it so strictly of them , as that without this irradiation of the Spirit they can be none of Christ's . Now these Enthusiasts that were of Old Times , and likewise those that have been since , did arrogate to themselves a peculiar familiar Spirit , and contrary to the dictates of the Holy Spirit , would under the conduct of that break forth into Tumults , Seditions , and Wars ; whereas these Men called Quakers pretend to be possess'd and guided by no other Spirit than what is common unto all Christians ; nay , and are so far from bringing Evil upon any Man , that they will not so much as resist force by force , asserting all manner of Self-defence to be unjust , except what is meerly Verbal ; and even that must be free from Anger . For this is usual amongst all , that even those who have invented a new Model of Doctrine and Life , though what they maintain be never so new and lately invented , yet they publish it for an Opinion of the Ancients , or at least , founded on their Doctrines ; for though none pretends so to confine the Truth , and set such Bounds to Goodness , that no new thing should be accounted true or good ; yet Antiquity adds a value and respect , for that we commonly judge the ancientest Opinions to be the truest and best ; and hence it is that even those Tenets that are of themselves intrinsically good , do purchase more respect , and a better reception by pretended Antiquity and Custom , than by all their real worth . The Quakers therefore say , they derive their Name ( though not very sollicitous what Name be given them ) Doctrine , Religion , and way of Living , from God himself ( whom his own Infallible Oracles term The Ancient of Days , ) and from his Word first delivered from Heaven , and then committed to Writing by the inspired Men of God , which is the only Rule and Ground of all Truth .

They likewise Appeal to the Ancient Fathers , or to the Testimony of those Books that we hold for true , unanimously consenting to and asserting the same very things that they with the Holy Scriptures maintain . When I say , Fathers , I speak after our way of speaking , not after the manner of the Quakers , who admit no such Names ; But by those , called by us Fathers , they understand the Writers who lived in the first and second Centuries after Christ . For they conceive those who lived nighest to the Times of the Primitive Apostles that compiled the Holy Writings , to have deliver'd their Doctrine with more Integrity than those who lived later , who the further distant they be from the Times of the Apostles , the more is their Sincerity and Integrity to be called in question ; like Water , that the further it runs from its Fountain , the more muddy it grows . And therefore it is that they pay but little deference to those who lived in the later Ages of the Church , freely acknowledging many things to be contain'd in their Writings that are justly to be rejected ; nor do they ever quote their Testimony , except it be very conducive to the establishment of what they advance . If therefore at any time others who are unacquainted with their Doctrines and Conversations , or possess'd with Prejudice , Envy , or Hatred against them , do at any time go about to brand them with these ignominious and opprobrious Names , they , if called to give a distinct Account of themselves , do assume the Names of Christians ; Evangelick , Apostolick , Catholiek Men ; as if the Doctrine and Religion preached by them were the same as was delivered at first by Christ himself to the Apostles , publish'd throughout the whole World by the Ministry of these his Apostles , and embrac'd and retain'd by all the Faithful and Godly of all Ages , whom Custom has term'd Catholick . And upon this Account in all Debates they recur to the Scriptures , not declining the Comparison of their Tenets with those of the Ancienter Fathers , nay , nor those of later times .

It follows next , that unto what I have said , I should subjoin some Account of the Sect that these Men so much follow , inviting all Christians to do the same . Their Sentiments therefore run in this strain ; That since the Doctrines and Manners of all Christians , as also and consequently of those called Protestants likewise , have been for so long a time corrupted and perverted , it would seem that Apostacy and Defection from the Apostolick Doctrine and Discipline had its first beginnings in the Times of the Apostles themselves ; and from thenceforth did by degrees increase till it came to its perfect height in the Sixth and Seventh Centuries ; and from that time forth having confirm'd and harden'd it self through the firm and constant continuance for so many Ages , so that no hope of its removal was remaining , did so continue till this very Age we now live in . Though ( add they ) in all this Series of Time there was always one or other in every Century that appear'd and declar'd against this their General Defection , but without any Success , as also to their own disadvantage and detriment . And thus do they imagine of those great Men , called by us the Reformers , that all their Endeavours for the Restauration of Religion and Purity , tended indeed to overthrow the Falshood , Lightness , and Vanity of Men , but not to establish Truth , or introduce Gravity of Life and Manners , by restoring these Vertues to their Primitive Lustre and Splendor ; much like unto those that throw down their old Habitation , and never think of building up a new one . Moreover , their Opinion of those who came after the First Reformers , is , that while they imagin'd to themselves that what they did tended to the advancement of a Reformation , it proved diametrically opposite to the same ; for that in lieu of the Vices and Errors which polluted and defiled the Church , that were corrected and rooted out by them , they introduced other new ones of their own Invention , like Men cleansing a House , that cast out the Filth so as to let more come in . So that these Men Preach up their Religion for the ancientest , as having flourish'd in the first Golden Age of the Church ; which was afterwards from the very first rise of the Christian Name , even unto this our Age , miserably mangled and corrupted , and in fine , quite demolish'd ; until at length it was retriev'd and restor'd to its Ancient Purity by them , being incited and raised up by the Divine Spirit to recover fallen Religion , for the Salvation of all Men. Wherefore 't is that in all their Writings this is distinctly treated of , having prefix'd as a Title to their Chapters , that , They as the Servants of Jesus Christ , are called and raised up by God for dispensing the Gospel , which after so long and dark a Night of Apostacy , is now again come to light , to be preach'd unto all Nations . And thus do they Accuse , Condemn , and set at nought the Doctrines , manner of Worship , Rites , Ceremonies , nay , the whole Life and Conversation not only of all these general Christians , but of the Protestants , who boast so much of their departing from that great Apostacy , and cleansing themselves from the Babylonish and Papal De●ilements . Unto whom they oppose their Doctrine , Worship , and way of Life , which indeed are such , that their Doctrine is for a great part of it new , or taken from some Ancient Opinions condemn'd and rejected by the Church , which having lain so long dormant , are revived anew by them ; and as to the rest , 't is a Medley or Hotch-potch of the several Opinions of Protestants , though not radically agreeing with them , their Worship is diametrically Opposite to that of ours ; and their manner of Life so singular , that between their Conversation and that not only of Protestants , but of all Christians , there is as vast a difference as possibly can be . And these are the Tenets they have so busily spread abroad both at their first rise , and in the further progress of the Sect ; and all of 'em that are capable either of speaking or writing Publickly , do diligently apply themselves in all places to the Explaining , Defending , and Propagating their Doctrines , inveighing and railing against the contrary Opinions of others , with as bitter and reviling Expressions as they can invent ; and such their Accusatory Libels are dispersed abroad into all Countries , especially those where they expect to meet with ready Compliants with their Doctrine and Way , or at least such as would be fond of new Reformations and Changes in Religion , being thus in some measure predisposed to receive and entertain their Advances .

Having thus spoken in General of the Conditions of these Men , I come next to give a more particular Account of their Rise , Progress , various Vicissitudes , and Events befalling them . The Original Mother and Nurse of the Quakers is England , a Country once Famous for banishing and extirpating Heresie , now the Seat and Centre of all manner of Errors . The Quakers themselves Date their first Rise from the Forty Ninth Year of this present Century ; and 't was ( say they ) in the Fifty Second they began to increase to a considerable number , from which time unto this day they and their Party have daily acquired more strength . For while that Kingdom before the middle of this Century was engaged in an Intestine War , occasioned by the Differences of Church-Government , in that confused and dismal Juncture , when both Church and State were miserably shatter'd and rent , and Religion and Discipline were quite overturn'd , innumerable multitudes of Men did on all hands separate from the Church ; and afterwards when their greatest Eye-sore , and the imaginary Source of all their Evils , the Episcopal Government of the Church , was abolished , and the Presbyterian Form of Church-Government ( which was what they so impatiently wish'd for , and grounded all their hopes of Comfort and Peace upon ) was establish'd in its place , yet even there were some whom nothing would satisfie , that divided themselves into an innumerable Company of Sects and Factions , of which this of the Quakers was one .

The first Ringleader , Author , and Propagater of Quakerism was one George Fox . Some of that Party have not stood to give that Man after his Death ) the Title of The first and glorious Instrument of this Work , and this Society , the great and blessed Apostle . So that , as the Disciples and Followers of any Sect derive their Names from their Masters , so might we call these Men Foxonians , were it not unbecoming Christians to denominate themselves or others professing the Name of Christ from the Names of Men. I have many Accounts of George Fox in Writing in my hands , partly dictated from his own Mouth to his Amanuensis a little before his Death , partly obtain'd from his Friends and Followers , and partly from others that were strangers both to George Fox and all his Society . Which because they differ among themselves , I shall only pick out what seems to be most probable , and generally attested , for it is difficult in such a case to distinguish between what is true , what false .

George Fox was Born in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Four , in a Village called Dreton in Leicestershire . His Father , Christopher Fox , and his Mother , Mary Lago , were of no considerable Fortune , but gain'd their Living by Weaving : They lived devoutly and piously , were of the Reformed Religion , and great Zealots for the Presbyterian Party , which then obtain'd in England . And this their Zeal for Religion was accounted Hereditary to the Family , especially on the Mother's side ; whose Ancestors had in the days of Queen Mary given Publick Testimony to their constant and unmoveable Zeal for the Truth and Purity of Religion , not only in giving their Goods and Possessions to be confiscated , and patiently undergoing the loss of the same , but in yielding their Lives for a Sacrifice to the flames of devouring Fire , preferring the undefiled and lasting Crown of Martyrdom , to a sinful Life . This George Fox , while yet a Child , discovered a singular Temper , not coveting to Play with his Brethren or Equals , nor giving himself to any of those things that take with Children , but shunning their Company , and disdaining their Childish Customs ; he loved to be much alone , spoke but little , or if at any time he chanc'd to speak , both his Countenance and Speech bewray'd a sadness of Spirit ; his words were more Interrogatory , shewing a great deal of Attention and Consideration , and making many Observations ; unto all which was added Modesty in all his Actions , and a diligent pursuit of the early Rudiments of Piety and Devotion ; so that even in his Infancy his Actions and Demeanor seemed to presignifie those Qualities of Mind , which in progress of time he discover'd on the Publick Stage of the World . Having spent his Infancy at home , he was then sent to School to learn to Read Engl●sh , and to Write . In which Study he succeeded as the other Country Boys and those of the meaner sort use to do , having attained so much as that he could read Print pretty well ; but Writing he could read but little of , neither could he write , except very rudely . And this was the only Piece of Learning the attain'd to all his Life long . For neither then , nor any time after when arriv'd at greater Maturity of Years , did he ever apply himself to any Liberal Study . So that he not only knew no other Language save his Mother-Tongue , but even in that he was so little expert , and so ill qualified either for speaking or writing , all the whole course of his Life , that what he understood perfectly well he could not explain or enlarge upon in any tolerable good English , and far less could he deliver it in Writing ; in so much that he oft-times made use of Amanuenses and others , who being well acquainted with his Thoughts , and greater Masters of Language , might put them into a better Dress . And this I thought worth the Remarking , because a great many Books are extant in George Fox's Name , writ not only in terse English , but also in Latin , and interlarded with Sentences of many other Languages , which are but little known to the Learned World ; the Names of the Interpreters or Methodizers being concealed . Which whether it was an effect of great Simplicity in him , or of his Ambition and Ostentation , I shall not determine ; only it is plain that he had not the gift of Tongues . George Fox having spent this part of his Life at School , began then to look out for some way of Living , and providing for the future part of his Life ; and accordingly concluded to betake himself to some Mechanick Trade , that being necessary for the use and accommodation of Man , could never be wanted , and consquently never fail of answering the end he undertook it for ; such as making the Ornaments , and cloathing of Humane Bodies . Amongst which he chose to himself the Making of Shooes , applying himself to that Art the remaining part of his Life in Nottingham , the chief Town of the County of Nottingham , bordering upon Leicestershire , the place of his Nativity . He being then a Young Man , did behave himself Honestly and Modestly amongst Men , walking devoutly towards God , keeping close to that sense of Religion and Worship taught him by his Parents . He dwelt much upon the Scriptures , and when at leisure from the Exercise of his Trade ( as also when about it , taking this advantage of his sedentary Work ) he Meditated upon , ruminated in his Mind , and recollected what he had read . He had an Infallible Memory for retaining any thing he knew , especially what he read in the Bible never slip'd out of his remembrance . And having thus incessantly continued in the Study of the Scriptures from his Infancy to his latter end , he became so exactly versed in them , that there was no Remarkable Saying in all the Holy Writings that escap'd his Knowledge or Remembrance . I have heard some of his Friends say ( and those not of the Vulgar size , but Men of Learning and Knowledge ) that though the Bible were lost , it might be found in the Mouth of George Fox . Hence it was that as every one's Perfection and Talent discovers it self in their Discourses and Writings , so all the Discourses he ever had to his People , and all the Writings left on Record behind him , were nothing but a train of several Texts of Scripture sewed and patch'd together . Now after he had thus spent so much of his time in studying the Scripture , Meditating on Religious Things , and seriously weighing the condition and state of his own Soul ; he could not contain himself within the Bounds of his Trade and Station , but began to aspire after higher things , and transgressing the limits of his Sphere , would needs attempt some nobler Enterprize , that might be Serviceable both to himself and others . And accordingly , not contenting himself with the private use of what he had acquir'd , he took occasion oft-times to Discourse of these Matters to his Fellow-Tradesmen and Acquaintance , exhorting and admonishing them to be much taken up with these Concerns . And in these his frequent Exhortations he was so officious and importunate , that he would never give over , till at length it came to such a height , that neither they would any longer give ear to his severe Discourses , nor could he any longer bear with the Contradictions , Reproaches , and Affronts he met with on that account : Which obliged him then to withdraw himself from all manner of Society , either Working alone in some hidden corner of his Shop , or ( because even then there was frequently some curious Fellows coming to hear of him what he had to say , who since his severe Discourses could never please them , were still creating more trouble ) when he had done with Working , he presently forsook the Shop , getting up into some Garret or other , where being remov'd from all manner of Company , he might both be free from the Molestations of others , and give Offence to none .